Over time, we’ve been fortunate to have had a number of American riders journey north to race our nationwide sequence. Some have been veteran riders on the tail finish of their careers, whereas others have been younger American riders seeking to achieve precious expertise within the professional class. Certainly one of these younger riders is Georgia native Nate Mason, who got here to Canada for the primary time final summer time to race just a few rounds of the Triple Crown Collection. Effectively, Nate loved himself a lot that he’s again once more this yr and is racing for Staff CCR/MP1/Yamaha. We caught up with him as he was on the brink of check his new 2023 YZ450F race bike for this weekend’s opening Ontario race at Gopher Dunes.
MXP: Hey Nate! It’s good to get you on the telephone lastly. How are issues, and what are you as much as?
NM: Yeah man! Thanks for calling. I’m simply in London, Ontario, preparing for the race at Gopher Dunes this weekend. The climate doesn’t look nice for Sunday, however I’m nonetheless excited to race at this well-known observe lastly.
You make a great level while you say that Gopher Dunes is certainly one of our well-known tracks in Canada. It does have a status for being some of the difficult tracks on the planet. Hopefully, it gained’t be too tough this weekend.
I hope it’s tough so I can inform individuals again dwelling that I rode Gopher Dunes when it was powerful. Both approach, I’m excited to go and see what all of the hype is about.
You talked about that you simply’re in London and on the brink of go testing. How a lot time do you’ve got on the brand new 2023 YZ450F?
Really, this week can be my first time driving it. Up till now, I’ve been driving the older mannequin.
Oh wow! So this week is an thrilling time for you. Each rider likes to throw their leg over a brand new bike. Particularly one which we imagine virtually each check rider has preferred up to now.
I’ve heard nothing however nice issues concerning the new Yamaha 450, which is unusual as a result of normally with a model new bike, some individuals prefer it and others don’t.
So mainly, you can be testing and racing a motorcycle you’ve by no means ridden earlier than this week?
Sure! Mike at MP1 Suspension has the bike all setup, so we’re going to try to get as a lot driving on this week, after which it’s race time on Sunday.
The place do you name dwelling Nate?
I’m from a city in Georgia referred to as Canton; it’s situated simply north of Atlanta. I’ve spent my total life in that space so I do know it nicely and I actually prefer it.
That could be a nice space of Georgia, because it’s very scenic. Clearly, the soil is generally clay in Georgia so have you ever ridden a lot sand in your profession?
I’ve ridden some sand tracks, and I actually like driving within the sand. That’s one motive I’m excited to go to Gopher Dunes this weekend. I’ve all the time ridden nicely within the sand, so hopefully, I can go there and have a great outcome. I hear just a few good professional riders are approaching Sunday, so the racing must be good.
This weekend ought to provide you with a great indication of how Gopher Dunes can be in July when the Triple Crown Collection heads there.
For certain! Not solely is that this weekend a race, however it’s additionally a giant check session for us. It must be enjoyable!
Is the plan to race your complete Triple Crown Collection with Staff CCR/MP1/Yamaha in 2023?
No, we gained’t do the three west rounds this summer time, simply the japanese rounds. We’ll see how this yr goes, and perhaps in 2024, we’ll do your complete sequence. So the primary spherical for us can be at Gopher Dunes in July.
That’s thrilling Nate! You got here as much as Canada final summer time for the primary time. How did you discover out concerning the Triple Crown Collection?
It was truly Kyle Snelgrove from OG Gear that instructed me about it. I’ve been an OG rider for just a few years and was the primary USA rider to put on OG gear. Kyle instructed I come as much as Walton final yr and check out it out.
Kyle is an effective man, and he’s doing nice along with his OG model. General, have you ever loved your time in Canada?
Sure! I like it up right here. It’s fairly laid-back, and everybody is good. The racing is nice, and the riders are fairly gifted. Additionally, you guys have some fairly good tracks to race and observe on right here. I’m actually trying ahead to spending the entire summer time up right here.
Effectively, we’re excited to have you ever again for one more summer time, and good luck to you and your staff in 2023. Additionally, get pleasure from your first-ever Gopher Dunes race; I hope it goes nicely.
Thanks Chris! As I mentioned, I’m excited to be right here once more, and I need to thank Scott Vandeborne and Mike Parliament for ensuring I’ve what I must be profitable in 2023.
